A van driver suffered serious head injuries after he was dragged along the road after his vehicle was hijacked in Belfast.

The attack happened at around 2.10pm in the Old Milltown Road area of Castlereagh on Friday.

"At approximately 2.10pm Police received a report that the driver of a white Transit van was approached by an unknown man who shouted that he was going to take his van and demanded money," police said.

"The driver tried to stop the male, then moved over to the passenger side of the vehicle and exited via the passenger door.

The hijacker then drove off, dragging the injured party along the road which resulted in him sustaining a serious head injury. The injured party was subsequently taken to hospital for treatment. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening and he remains in a stable condition in hospital."

The van was later found in Minnowburn Drive, Castlereagh. It is believed that the stolen van was parked in this street from approximately 2.30pm.